Friday, September 30, 2016

Tips For Replacing Record Player Needles

By Mark Smith


The great vinyl revival is making phonographs trendy again. Generation x and y know this as a record player. This flash back to the past thing is encouraging people to still own turntables and listen to current music with what is supposedly an artifact if compared to what technology has to offer today. Strange on this age of high technology people are regressing to older machines.

Also known as phonographs, record players are more complicated to play music on and are not portable. The personality it gives any room makes it a good bargain despite the cons and maintenance required. Parts like record player needles need replacement and maintenance. This guarantees great music quality from the player and the vinyl.

Finding the right replacement is the first vital step. The compatibility of spare parts is very important for machines that can be disassembled. Checking any papers and manuals that come with the player can help identify what type of metal tip is used and what type of cartridge. Consult specialty online shops and other professionals if it becomes difficult to find the specifications on the machine especially when dealing with an antique.

Nose pliers and compressed air may be needed as extra helping tools in replacing the stylus. Best to have means of pulling out the needle if there is any difficulty removing it from the cartridge. Use the compressed air in cleaning the area before inserting the replacement tip.

Before disassembling and tinkering with the stylus and cartridges, make sure the device is turned off. This also means that other built-in parts like speakers and the preamp are off. Proceed then to removing the tone arm by locating the attached lever arm or device. Some record players have cartridge carriers that are removable from the arm so it is easier to locate area that needs replacing.

Lifting the tone arm up shows the stylus for easier access and pulling. One has the option of removing the needle by hand or with the nose pliers if it is stuck. Grip the sides of the needle and wriggle it gently until it comes loose.

Once you have successfully removed it, make sure to separate the old needle from the new one. Spray the cartridge with the can of compressed air where the old needle is placed. This makes sure there is no dust or debris that remains in the there.

Separately purchased needles may come with their own instructions, so it is best to follow that. Insert the new stylus in the cranny where the old tip was located in the cartridge. Place the metal tip gently with minimal force but enough to fit it in properly. Make sure the pointy end is facing down.

To make sure that the replacement is a success, test the record player. Put in a record and listen for any skipping, snapping and popping. If after the replacement your turntable still makes the same irregularities in sound, then the issue could be another part of the machine. In the event where the problem still persists, bring the device to a professional for repair.




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